Study Source A, The Long Shadow of little Rock . What can you learn from Source A about what happened at Little Rock in September 1957??

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Study Source A. what can you learn from Source A about what happened at little rock in September 1957?

Source A is from a book written by Elizabeth Eckford, called “The Long Shadow of little Rock”, and was published in 1962. The extract is taken from the day that 9 black students were to enrol at Little Rock High in 1957. During the time there was a very high level of segregation and racism towards the black people, and many blacks were mistreated. It shows how violently and unkindly people reacted to black people just because of the colour of their skin. An example from the Source would be “Lynch her, Lynch her”, this example shows that this kind of treatment is a reflection of how the hatred was turnt into violence. A more straightforward example would be the guard’s failure to defend her; when the guard is supposed to protect her: he raised his bayonet. The Source clearly shows that she is frightened and that nobody would defend her because she was black.

We can learn from the Source that during the late 1950’s racism and inequality was high. We can also see that Little Rock is a racist school and this can reflect on the society at that time in the USA. The Source does need to be questioned, as it is one sided and does not give a wider view; however, the Source being a witnessed account, the Source has a high reliability. We can see from the Source that racism is high, and learn that a very big amount of whites are against blacks. Nobody wanting to defend her supports this and displays inequality.

Study Sources A, B and C.

Does the evidence of Source B and C support Elizabeth Eckford’s account of events at Little Rock (Source A)?

 

Source B is an article from “New York Times” September 1957. It shows the vicious reaction of the whites to the blacks when they arrive at Little Rock.

Source C is a photograph of Elizabeth Eckford taken on the first day at Little Rock high. Sources B and C support Elizabeth Eckford’s account by showing that the blacks were being highly mistreated and that the reactions the blacks received upon arrival were very highly brutal and aggressive. In Source A Elizabeth Eckford was being glared at with mean looks, Source C backs this up as in the photograph there is clear evidence of this as many of the white people in the crowd have a mean facial expression. In Source A, Elizabeth Eckford is frightened, Source B and C provide evidence for this as Source B describes and Source C shows a hysterical and frightening scene. In Elizabeth Eckford’s account when the crowd was closing in on her is supported by Source C where the events are precisely the same and the crowd is moving closer and closer. Source A as people calling her names, in Source B there is similar evidence as the crowd howls hysterically” The Negroes are in our School”, and in Source C a girl behind her is obviously shouting at her.

The Evidence from Source B and C support Elizabeth Eckford’s view of the events that happened. Her account of events included hostile reactions towards her and these are shown directly as similar events are recalled in the other Sources. The unfriendly and rough approach that Elizabeth Eckford receives in Source A is supported highly in Sources B and C as the treatment she receives there is evidently alike to the treatment described and shown in the other 2 Sources. The manner and tone of Source A are backed up, as the reactions toward Elizabeth Eckford and the other blacks are full of fury, hostility and anger, all three of these are expressed and seen clearly and justify Elizabeth Eckford’s view and recollection of the events at that time. The Sources do not need to be questioned as they are probably taken from a reliable place e.g. media-press.

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The 2 Sources; B and C back up Source A as they reflect the same to Elizabeth’s witnessed account.

Study Sources D and E

How useful are these Sources in helping you understand why some black Americans rejected methods of Martin Luther King? Explain your answer.

Source D is taken from the magazine “Liberation” in 1959.This is a part of it by Martin Luther King. It talks about a non-violent protest. It states that violence is blamed for its consequences. Source E is taken from the Autobiography of Malcolm X, 1970. It talks about the whites ...

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